Monday, 18 August 2025

Bathampton & Bristol and West pairs League - Newbridge


Another early alarm call and must admit to feeling a bit tired after the previous long day of the National. However, this was round 5 and the penultimate round and I was keen to try and keep myself and Rich Lacey on top of the league. 

I got to the river at 7:15 and as I paid my pools had to endure another ear bashing about the Gas, can’t argue with anything in that respect at the moment 🙈🙉. As ever I wanted to be in the first 4 pegs in A section, but as ever Rich pulled me B section. I think that’s every match this and last season I have been in B lol. Rich got A1 peg 16 and I got B9 peg 56. I would have been on peg 61 but moored boats had messed up the pegging.

A decent walk from peg 16 to 56, and when I got there I had a rest and looked at the last results here, my peg had 3lb and beat 1, hmmm. Dean Harvey was on peg 10 and I expected him to do well as it has been good for roach and perch.

Much like yesterday I had a steep peg, but no steps. But at least I could get my box in the water and all comfortable.

56 is a great peg with a bit of water on as the flow is mostly across the river. It meant my pole line was a bit slower and shallower than the pegs around me. A 1g pencil float would do for 11m and I went with a 20 and 0.10. I did set up a heavier rig and worm rig but neither worked. The obligatory gbait feeder was readied as was a waggler with 18 to 0.12 and a bolo rig.

Started on the feeder getting some bait in and looking for early signs, just a small roach and a perch so it was onto the pole where 8 balls of black roach / black river had been fed. I got a 1oz roach first drop and a few more this size which was concerning, then I started getting a few bleak problems but not so bad. I was catching but not great quality, but carried on taking what was on offer. I was loose feeding hemp and caster over the pole line and after an hour had a few 3oz roach. 

Halfway through the match the pole died and I gave the feeder another 30 minutes. Never had a touch and was surprised, especially as on peg 8 (54) Chopper had a bream and 2 skimmers and quite a few perch. With Dean catching on the float I was getting a battering! Just to make my lot better a paddle boarder fell in right in my peg, then after getting back on the board proceeded to drop her house and car keys in the river….. Her husband decided to dive in after them (a pointless exercise) and then said they’re gone. I had a drink and a bite to eat to let things settle down.

I tried the waggler which was awkward as the wind was a nightmare, but I picked up a few bleak and 4 small chublets and then nothing, not a bite on the bolo. Tried the pole and feeder but no bites. I had to make a decision sit it out for a bream or try and add some extra fish on the waggler. I went with the wag and picked up odd chublets and bleak to end the match.

I reckoned I had about 8lb or so but no idea how that would do. Rich on A1 thought he had over 10lb but for a few hours was battered by bleak. Well I ended up getting 8 points out of 10 with 9lb 2oz which I was relieved with, but I was beat both sides lol. Well done Chopper winning the section after struggling in the league, see you can catch them! My board below.

A section fished well as you can see, and Warren Bates won the match from unfancied middle of the straight. He had roach on the whip early, but when it died he had a couple of bream and a skimmer on the whip, nothing on the feeder. Another great performance by Warren in the league.

Rich ended up with 6 points which was good enough as 14 points is usually decent each round. 

With one round left to go we are still winning but just 6 1/2 points ahead of Jer Pocock and Nick Coles. This  means we need to get 14 points on the last round to guarantee the win, but anything can happen. The next round is back at Newbridge in 2 weeks. 

The end of a long weekend (week actually but that’s another story) and despite not picking up any dosh I had enjoyed the fishing both days. No fishing this weekend so tight lines if you’re going.

Better quality today than yesterday.





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